The 12 Days of Christmas – for a Swimmer

Swimmers celebrate the holiday season a bit differently to others. This time of the year brings on the dreaded holiday training weeks where coaches worldwide are cooking up some mighty sessions for their swimmers. As the sets get harder – approaching the end of the year, the Christmas theme always seems to ease things out.

Here is a swimmers version of the 12 days of Christmas because who doesn’t love a cliché Christmas carol?

On the 1stday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 1 set of very fast free

On the 2ndday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 3rdday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 4thday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 4 sets of pull ups, 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 5thday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 5 pools of breastroke, 4 sets of pull ups, 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 6thday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 6 sets of sit ups, 5 pools of breastroke, 4 sets of pull ups, 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 7thday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 7 pools of fly, 6 sets of sit ups, 5 pools of breastroke, 4 sets of pull ups, 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

On the 8thday of Christmas my coach gave to me; 8 Russian twists, 7 pools of fly, 6 sets of sit ups, 5 pools of breastroke, 4 sets of pull ups, 3 pools of backstroke, 2 jumping jacks and 1 set of very fast free

To be quite honest with you, if any swimmer got these 12 days of Christmas, they would be beyond happy. The December training sessions actually involve sets like 100x100m Free – that obviously everyone loves – or the typical killer Pyramid set.

Maria Lopes was born and raised in Angola, before moving to Portugal at the age of 13. She then completed her BSc in Sport Science from St Mary’s University. Maria swims for her country and has attended multiple championships around Africa. She has been through tough times with her federation because she has been an advocate for change to elevate sports back home. Maria also enjoys playing football, futsal, basketball, and tennis amongst other sports. With the desire to expand her sports knowledge, she is currently completing a MA in International Sports Journalism.